R.I. Senate 4 special election saw 8% turnout in landslide victory for Democrat Stefano Famiglietti

Roughly 8% of Rhode Island Senate District 4 voters cast ballots in the special Aug. 5 election, according to final results certified by the state Board of Elections Wednesday.

The board’s unanimous vote, made swiftly and without discussion, confirms the preliminary outcome of the election in which Democrat Stefano Famiglietti secured 83% of votes, compared with 16% for Republican Alexander Asermely.

The special election was triggered by the death of the late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Ruggerio held the seat for 40 years prior to his death in April.

Famiglietti, 33, a personal injury lawyer, pledged to follow in his predecessor’s footsteps, emphasizing deep community ties which include serving on the North Providence Town Council since 2018. His ascension to the State Senate triggers a special election for his seat on the town council, dates for which have not been set.

Famiglietti’s landslide victory received national party recognition, with Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin touting the results as Democrats’ second-biggest “overperformance” of 2025 compared with district results in the 2024 presidential election.

There are 22,214 registered voters in the district, which spans North Providence and a section of northern Providence. A majority of them, roughly 10,000, are registered Democrats, while another 9,700 are unaffiliated, with the remainder registered as Republicans, according to data from the Rhode Island Department of State. 

Nearly 60% of the 2,054 voters who participated in the August special election cast ballots on Election Day at one of the four designated polling places, Miguel Nunez, state election director, said during the Wednesday meeting. Another 25% voted early during designated hours at city or town halls, while the remainder submitted ballots by mail,

Famiglietti will be sworn into office at 4 p.m. Thursday in an inauguration ceremony at the Rhode Island State House. Secretary of State Gregg Amore will administer the oath of office.

Famiglietti will serve the rest of Ruggerio’s two-year term, though 2026. State lawmakers are paid $20,391.97 a year.

Election board members Michael Connors, Randall Jackvony and Robert Rapoza were absent from the meeting.